[Age-related macular degeneration: analysis in two ophthalmological centers in Pernambuco-Brazil]

To evaluate age-related macular degeneration (AMD) prevalence and its risk factors in two different populations, with distinct socioeconomic conditions, at two ophthalmological centers in Pernambuco state, Brazil.

A cross-sectional study was performed in 200 volunteers aged 55 years or older. One hundred were cared for by the Public Health System (in the Fundação Altino Ventura FAV-SUS) and 100 were cared for at a private hospital (Hospital de Olhos de Pernambuco-HOPE). There were 400 eyes altogether. Age-related macular degeneration was graded using fundoscopic examination using AREDS classification (Age-Related Eye Disease Study).

Presence of age-related macular degeneration was observed in 61 eyes (30%) of the patients of the Fundação Altino Ventura and in 46 eyes (23%) of the patients of the Hospital de Olhos de Pernambuco. The age-related macular degeneration frequency difference between these populations, that are not similar regarding their socioeconomic level, was not significant (p=0.113). There was a positive association between aging and the age-related macular degeneration frequency (p<0.0001). This association was also present in the female gender (p=0.0451), the presence of cataract (p=0.0447), cataract surgery (p=0.0432) and obesity (p<0.0001). No age-related macular degeneration association with race (p=0.1367), hypertension (p=0.1985), diabetes (p=0.6712), smoking (p=0.6374), alcohol intake (p=0.7359), ocular sunlight exposure (p=0.9399), light-colored iris (p=0.1691), hyperopia (p=0.5098) and the usage of antioxidants (p=0.8251) was observed.

The age-related macular degeneration frequency in the two studied ophthalmological centers varied from 23 to 30%. Age-related macular degeneration association with age; female gender; cataract; cataract surgery; and obesity was observed. No age-related macular degeneration association with socioeconomic level was found in this study.